cannot be commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action or process is unable to start or initiate due to certain conditions or circumstances. Example: "The project cannot be commenced until all necessary approvals are obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is because agroforestry plantation cannot be commenced without having plots of land as they are complementary in use.

Environmental Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things be proper or safe judges whether a war ought to be commenced, continued or concluded," he argued.

The New York Times - Books

The present study supports these recommendations, especially the provision that some patients may be commenced on nebulized treatment on the basis of substantial subjective benefit even if an additional bronchodilator response cannot be demonstrated.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

We would be commencing movement at 6pm.

The Times

We will be commencing action against the Suns.

The Guardian - Sport

The present lawsuit was commenced on December 18 , 1998

Harvard University

Seventy-two hours after the surgery, neural activity monitoring was commenced.

Nature

Q: The point at which the attack was commenced.

The New York Times

ECMO is commenced.

Annals of Intensive Care

The synthesis was commenced from octanal 63.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Gradual correction was commenced at 2 weeks.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be commenced" when you want to convey that an action or process is impossible to begin due to specific conditions or regulations. Ensure the context clearly explains why commencement is not possible.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be commenced" in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "cannot be started" or "can't begin" would be more appropriate. Formal language can sound stilted in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be commenced" functions as a passive construction expressing the inability or impossibility of initiating an action or process. Ludwig shows examples in contexts where specific conditions prevent the start of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be commenced" is a grammatically correct but infrequently used expression denoting the inability to initiate an action. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is typically confined to formal and technical contexts, such as scientific, legal, or official documentation. While alternatives like "cannot be started" or "cannot begin" may be more common in everyday language, "cannot be commenced" maintains a level of formality appropriate for specific professional settings. It's primarily used to convey restrictions or conditions preventing the start of an activity, and while considered correct, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be initiated

Replaces "commenced" with a synonym, focusing on the beginning stage.

cannot be started

Uses a more common and straightforward synonym for "commenced".

cannot be begun

Emphasizes the beginning of something, similar to "commenced".

is impossible to commence

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the impossibility directly.

cannot be launched

Suggests a more formal or impactful beginning that is impossible.

cannot be triggered

Suggests a specific event or action that is impossible to start.

cannot be undertaken

Highlights the inability to take on or embark upon a task or project.

cannot be activated

Implies a mechanism or system that cannot be set in motion.

cannot be enacted

Implies a formal or legal process that cannot be put into action.

cannot be implemented

Focuses on the impossibility of putting a plan or system into effect.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be commenced" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be commenced" to indicate that an action or process is not able to be started. For example: "The project "cannot be commenced" until funding is secured."

What can I say instead of "cannot be commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be started", "cannot be initiated", or "cannot begin" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be commenced" or "cannot commence"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "cannot commence" is more direct and concise, while ""cannot be commenced"" emphasizes the state of not being able to be started.

What is the difference between "cannot be commenced" and "cannot be started"?

While both convey a similar meaning, "cannot be commenced" is more formal and often used in technical or legal contexts. "cannot be started" is a more general and widely understood alternative.